Definition ∞ Block availability refers to the assurance that a newly produced block is accessible to all participating nodes within a blockchain network. This property confirms that transaction data within the block can be verified and propagated without undue delay. High block availability is crucial for maintaining network integrity and preventing forks.
Context ∞ News often reports on block availability in the context of network stability, censorship resistance, and data integrity within decentralized systems. Protocols implementing data availability sampling or other verification techniques address concerns about nodes withholding block data. Future developments focus on ensuring robust data dissemination in sharded architectures to uphold decentralization.